| The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with total numbers of incarcerated individuals exceeding those of all other industrialized countries combined. A significant collateral consequence of the U.S. mass incarceration rate is the staggering numbers of returning individuals persistently reentering communities and society after incarceration. Without proper levels of support, these returning individuals will return to crime and recidivate, leading to profound negative impacts on the individual, their families, communities and society. These concerns are compounded for women, and for African American women in particular. This study will therefore investigate the effects of U.S. incarceration rates, the means to address U.S recidivism and its impacts, and effectiveness of programs to provide for successful return and community reintegration for previously incarcerated individuals -- and for reentering African American women in particular. |
